Some of it is self- induced and some of it is out of control. So- what’s a girl supposed to do? Is it possible to cancel the noise so that we can hear our own thoughts again? I believe it is. We have to be purposeful on this endeavor. We have to make a conscious decision to turn away from the negative noise and fill our souls with GOOD noise.

A Joyful Noise. Listening to rants and raves of news media and EVERYONE’S opinions will change our moods. It changes how we engage face to face with our loved one’ s. Just like every other bad habit, we do what we know and we become what we do. If I start or end my day with the tragedies of this world I can almost guarantee, I will feel down. That is not fair to the people (actual people) in my life.

I can’t offer them the best version of me. If I fill my life with inspiring people that overcame challenges, engaging books that require me to THINK, and music that quenches my soul to the core…How can I not be a better version of myself? THOSE are the days I can pour out love on the people on my path. so here are some simple switches I made to make a GOOD difference in my life.

PodCasts!

By all means. Not all podcasts are good or uplifting. In fact, many are downright depressing and, well, not good! Look through the categories and find an area of your life that you want to improve upon. Try a couple until you find one that fits. I do recommend that you diversify in all things. Listen to different sources.

Audible

Listen to uplifting books while you commute or while you clean.

Sermons

Yes, there is an app for that. I have a folder of my favorite pastor’s apps.

Ted Talks

I love Ted Talks. There is generally no ranting or raving and you hear how incredible people really are. Ted Talks bring out the best for people. Not perfect people, but people have overcome challenges

Stand -up comedy

There are A ton of clean comedians on YouTube. Laugh and laugh hard!!

Music

Of course!! My entire life is like a soundtrack. I was always listening to music. Honestly, when I was younger and going through some stuff, I realized later on, the music I was listening to was dark and depressing. So as you have already guessed it, so was my mood. Keep it light. Change it up. Dig deep into YOUR soundtrack. Play some stuff from the happy times in your life or try a new type of music altogether.

The Sound of Silence

Sometimes we just need to learn to be quiet with our own thoughts. Most of us have a hard time with this one. Practice makes perfect. Try starting with 5 minutes a day and increase a minute a day until you reach 20 minutes. Feel free to let negative thoughts come and go quickly.

LISTENING to things encourages us to LISTEN and not just speak. Truthfully people want to draw close to people that hear what they are saying and not just hearing their opinions. They can get that anywhere. I can get so much accomplished while listening to uplifting and engaging things. Not only is my mood better, but also my heart. My house is cleaner for it and drives are calm and peaceful.

Or maybe you are a parent, and you have shown your child how to ride.I got one for Christmas one year, and I couldn’t wait to get out there! I had visions of jumping on my shiny new rainbow seat bike and taking off. I pictured myself soaring down the road with the older kids in the neighborhood. My reality was a little different. Growing up in Pittsburgh posed some weather conditions which meant months before my first lesson began. Learning at first involves training wheels. Not precisely super cool to the big kids. When the day finally arrived, and the weather was less sub below zero and more like a balmy 45 degrees. It was on!

My dad was behind me holding onto my rainbow seat bike.

Honestly, I think he was holding on so tightly my little legs were peddling, but that bike was not going anywhere. He was trying to give me instructions, but all I could hear was the wind whipping through my golden-brown hair. Now that the directions were over, it was time. Training wheels intact I start pushing. I tripped a few times. Still, to this day, I start with my right foot up and left on the ground. I even got it.

Then I finally got the rhythm down and there I go! I felt good. I felt confident! (Of course, dad still hanging on and running slightly out of breath behind me)….

(Sidebar)

Now I have to explain here. If you have never been to Pittsburgh, we had some cold, we had some snow, and we have some of the greatest hills, and windy roads on the planet. (Self-driving cars are tested there because the companies figure if a car can handle the trails there, they can drive anywhere.) Now the street I grew up on was called 9th Ave. It has a hill. To a small child, it is like a mountain to a grown adult it is more like a bump.

Straight and narrow that was the sweet spot!

Not exactly the most adventurous, but it was relatively smooth other than the slight wobbling from the training wheels. Then came the turns. Not quite so soft. I remember a lot of tipping, but dad still in check to keep it from happening. Then it happened, one day my dad let go. I was doing it on my own! I felt free and relaxed. On the straight and narrow.

Stopping

I remember stopping was a minor issue and there it was. I was running out of street!!!! I had to make the turn or run into Mr. Benson’s house. I turned. I tipped. I hit the cement. Ok. I wasn’t going that fast. I was little. But I did hit the cement. Dad (with the fear and mild panic on his face) Untangled me from my bike and carried me in one arm and the bike in the other back to the house. (Where I believe I was greeted with a band-aid and ice cream by my mom.)

I see my relationship with God a lot like learning to ride a bike.

You look over the years of being a Christian, I have had some false ideas of how that looked. Just like thinking I would instantly speed off into glory with the big kids, it took many, many…many times of practicing. I tripped, stumbled and fell a lot. I even had that one accident that messed me up pretty well as I slid down that bump on 9th Ave. On my face. There was recovery time, and the kids on the block horrified to look at my face. (came in handy at a sleepover when I held a flashlight up to my face to scare the other girls.) Oh, how I still chuckle over that one!

I have been reading God’s words most mornings for about 11 years

I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface. I have done A LOT of Bible Studies and church services. I am a prayer warrior. Truth is I still swear on occasion. Yep. In certain situations (especially pain or anger) there it is. It comes out almost out of nowhere.

People I know that grew up in Evangelical homes can’t believe it. I don’t know what to tell them. Even with Jesus in my heart and The Holy Spirit pumping through my veins. Yep, I can still swear. I sin. I am a sinner. I get annoyed, and I get angry. I fall short EVERY day. You see I am not condoning sin. By no means! I go out of my way to avoid it. If at the very second your surrender your life to Jesus, and we all became perfect people, then why would the cross have had to happen?

God knows my heart,

God knows my heart, and he knows my sins, even when I don’t recognize them immediately myself. But He is still hanging onto me, and sometimes he lets go. Sometimes I fall, I get banged up, I backslide a little, and He is always there to pick me up and heal my wounds. Of course, I want Him to take away my pain BEFORE it happens, but I learn from my mistakes.

I guess that is why he gives us as much time as He allows us on this Earth. He is making us like His Son. He is developing us to act like, SPEAK like and love like Jesus. He loves imperfection. He loves to use imperfect people to do His work. While He is working the kinks out of me, all He is looking for is a willing heart. He wants to use me. He wants to use YOU.

God doesn’t want us judging other people and where they are on their journey.

He wants to use us to pick them up and walk with them. He uses us to help heal their wounds. He wants us to look for what we have in common not only our differences. God also blessed me with a good example of a dad. I realize this. Many people either had no example of this or a horrible experience with their dad. I am SO sorry if that is your truth. Please know that God is a GOOD Father and He will not let you down. Even when you think He has, He is working for your good. He loves you.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the GOOD of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

You may not have heard of dry brushing. Dry brushing is not for your hair. It is for your SKIN.

There are many benefits of dry brushing.

Detoxifies-

Skin is our largest organ. Dry skin will keep your body from detoxing properly. By removing dry skin, your pores are open to breathe. Your body sweats toxins out of your body while making your lymphatic system healthier. Dry brushing will decrease body odor as your body begins to detoxify itself better on a daily basis.

Help reduce cellulite-

I know. I know. We have been told everything works to make that magic happen and been lied to over and over again. Dry brushing is not a magic pill. You have to consistently do it to see results but it really does work. Cellulite is fat cells storing toxins. (I know- gross)

Decongests pores and gives and healthy glow-

As you start your new daily habit of dry brushing, your skin will take on a beautiful youthful glow. Your lymph system is working better, you are improving blood flow which nourishes your skin and you will begin to hear the magic words “You look younger”.

Helps alleviate ingrown hairs on legs

As we age, we begin to battle with ingrown hairs on our legs from shaving. Dry brushing wipes them out before they begin by removing the dead skin and opening up our pores.

How to Dry Brush-

Once daily (Twice if you can, but I’m a realist) Stand in the shower (No water)

Buy a Dry Brush. Only use a NATURAL bristle brush.

Start at the top of your feet. Take long multiple strokes working always toward your heart. (Please do be gentle) Your skin will be sensitive at first

The order I like to Dry Brush

Feet

legs (front and back)

stomach

fingertips up front and back of arms

breasts (avoid the nipples ladies!)

chest

back (Need a long handle brush

***About the Neck and Face- If you choose to include these areas, you want a FACE brush